Let me start by saying that I am a Xavier fan, that does frequent reading this board. I enjoy the actual discussions about the game, and being the shootout week, I wanted to give you my personal take on what I have witnessed from Xavier this year for people that may not have watched them a whole lot.
Tu Holloway: Obviously he is the guy that will throw his team on his back whenever they need him to. He is a true product of his own hard work, and has willed himself to becoming an All-American type player. He only has an average jump shot, and imo is a bit slow footed. He does make up for this however with his ability to see the court and to create contact around the hoop. He's as tough nosed as it comes, and plays a very intelligent game for the most part.
Mark Lyons: Ultra quick, agressive, and boarderline out of control at times. He has a New York swagger about him, that won't allow him to back down at any point, this is a blessing and a curse at times. He will play very tough nosed defense, and will work hard off the ball as well as on it, but he does have a propencidy to pick up stupid fouls from time to time, which was a much bigger issue last season. His shot has developed to a respectable level, but his main game is getting the edge on the defender and going towards the basket. He will talk all game long, which I'm sure drives opponents nuts (it bothers some Xavier fans just as much)
Dezmine Wells: The first true freshman to start for Xavier from day one since Romain Sato in 2000. He's built very strong, and is always looking to punish the rim and any defender that's in his way when he starts getting a head of steam towards the hoop. He's a high energy guy, who has a nack for grabbing a rebound. As with any freshman, however, he does have an ability to dissappear in games. He does play tough defense for a freshman. His jumpshot is better than most expected, but really he isn't a threat to shoot unless he has a wide open look.
Andrea Walker: 5th year senior transfer from Vanderbilt. His numbers won't impress anyone, and in all honesty, after the game you'll probably forget his name, but he is another person that is vital to this team. He's a defensive stopper, who will just grind all game long. He has very little leaping ability, and has suffered injuries throughout his time at Vanderbilt, but he's a gamer, and is one of the guys that keeps people under control when things start to go south for Xavier.
Kenny Frease: He seems to still be an inigma for most Xavier fans. They either love him or hate him with very little basis as to why. He has the ability, but he doesn't always have the ability to display it. He has a decent touch from 15 feet in, and will shoot and make a high percentage from the baseline. His hands have gotten stronger as he has matured, but still struggles to find the handle at times. His length does tend to give defenses issues, and his foot speed has improved. He can still get himself in foul trouble however, and as a whole, he's one of the very few Xavier big men that haven't developed to the point that we, as a fanbase, are accustomed to seeing at this point in a career. You simply don't know what you're going to get with him.
Reserves:
Travis Taylor: High energy guy with a lot of spring in his step. He will play primarily the 4/5 position. He's one of those guys that you truly question how he ever scores, but he just does.
Justin Martin: Primarily splits time with Dez Wells, but is a completely different player than Wells. He's 6 7, and likes to play a finess game. He is a streaky shooter, but when he gets hot, he has an ability to get them in bunches.
Jeff Robinson: He will see maybe 2 or 3 minutes, and has never really hit his potential.
Dee Davis: Dee is an energy guy off the bench that will spell Holloway and Lyons. His minutes are increasing as the season goes along, and has been a big reason why Xavier has won the games they have, by giving those guys a breather so they are fresh when it matters most. He is a smaller guard, but will be tenacious when it comes to playing Defense. Has a good shot, but is a true point guard, in that he looks to pass first.
Brad Redford: Lights out shooter that's one demensional. really not a whole lot else to say about him other than he can bust any zone, but can be a liability at times on Defense.
This Xavier team is deep and good. They will play a tough packline Defense that is very aggressive when it comes to hedging picks. They're not a great three point team, but they do possess the ability to knock it down. This team does not have several superstars or anything like that, but they are all very solid in their particular focus. UC will need to control the tempo in my opinion in this game. Xavier has won games this year by wearing teams down, and then taking the game at the end because they are fresher than the opponent.
I expect this game to be a war, just like it is every year. I expect to get UC's best effort to date, and to have my nerves completely shot by the end just like every year as well. I'm really looking forward to Saturday, and seeing if Xavier can get past last season's loss and growing from it. GreatOne, the bets still on even if you're in class!
